Does an automatic transmission car move when the brake is released?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car moves when the brake is released. Below are some precautions regarding releasing the brake: When the road ahead is flat and clear: You can completely release the foot brake at once and then accelerate to move. When starting the car, you must first press the brake pedal to shift the gear lever out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) into a driving gear. Releasing the brake pedal allows the car to move slowly. The reason for pressing the brake in advance is to ensure the safety of both the driver and the vehicle. When the road ahead is complex or crowded: If there are people, other vehicles, obstacles, or when going down a steep slope, you should not release the brake completely all at once. Instead, release it slowly and gradually in a "testing" manner. This is mainly to prevent the car from moving too fast when starting and losing control, which could lead to an accident.
Having driven for decades myself, I've experienced firsthand how automatic transmissions allow the car to move as soon as you release the brake. This is primarily due to the transmission design that enables the vehicle to creep forward slowly when in Drive or Reverse gear after brake release, almost as if assisting with smooth starts. However, this behavior varies by terrain—on flat surfaces it's steady, but on steep inclines you might need to apply some throttle. Safety-wise, beginners should cultivate these habits: always verify gear position before moving, keep your foot near the brake pedal for immediate response to anomalies. I've witnessed numerous scary incidents of cars rolling back on slopes due to forgotten parking brakes. Vehicle condition also matters—brake failure requires immediate inspection. While this feature demonstrates thoughtful engineering, cautious operation remains essential.
